I am an Air Force brat, a self-taught artist, and a part-time mom these days. I work out my artistic demons by making stuff and trying to find the humor when things go wrong. I have a spouse, two grown kids and cats that barf and bring horrible things into the house, so things do go wrong. My youngest is in college and only home during breaks, so I'm almost an empty nester, alone more than not and trying to figure out this new stage of life. Time to make a mess.

November 8, 2011

What is wrong with me? I have the urge to be creative, but sit here with my brain permanently in "park" mode and unable to move ahead. I started thinking about making holiday gifts, but then I wonder what I could make that someone would actually want to receive. I think friends and family like my quilts, but it's November (reminder: start making quilts in January!), so that's not a real option. I look at all the magazines and "how to" books that I've got that cover every medium known to mankind, but the first thing I think is, "What would someone do with this???"

Yesterday I read a blog written by someone that reminded me of myself. She loves being artsy and craftsy and is drawn to publications about creativity, in awe of the super talents and prolific work of so many others. Yet, like me, she feared looking too closely or spending too much time exploring others' work for fear that her own ideas and art would be influenced by the work of another artist. Then there's the part of me that is like a deer in headlights. I'm surrounded by artistic materials and, more often than not, have the time to be creative but do nothing. It's depressing.

Today I will at least explore some resources for artistic prompts. I'm wasting time, wasting opportunity and need a nudge. OK, I need a really big kick and a shove.

About Me

I would rather be funny than thin (I am), and I would rather be charitable of heart than beautiful (I am), but wouldn't complain if I were offered the thin and beautiful too! Creativity is something with which I struggle, either because my mind goes a mile and minute and I have a hard time focusing, or because I'm being pulled too many directions and distracted with real life. I blog to help me focus on creativity or just to work out my demons.